BIOGRAPHY

A life- long resident of Warwick who has actively advocated and promoted the economic development and advancement of the City on a variety of fronts his entire professional life as both an attorney and business man, Joe Shekarchi has now entered the world of public service and formally declared his candidacy for Rhode Island State Representative in District 23.

“I am a native of Warwick and have lived here all of my life. I have always had a genuine interest in government, and thought this was the perfect opportunity to serve my community,” stated Shekarchi shortly after declaring his candidacy. “Given both my roots, life experiences and knowledge of the City, I feel that I can represent the constituents of my district at the State House in the General Assembly and make a real difference for the citizens of Warwick and the State of Rhode Island.”

Shekarchi attended Randall Holden Elementary School, as well as Hoxsie Elementary School, Mount St. Charles Academy and Suffolk University in Boston, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in government. He also graduated from Suffolk University Law School in 1990.

Shekarchi has been very active in both the legal and business world for the past two decades. He currently practices law at his office at 33 College Hill Road where he has been for more than 15 years. During that time, he has been instrumental in expanding Warwick’s tax base, creating jobs and fueling the City’s economy. Among his many accomplishments, Joe has worked to bring two Washington Trust Bank branches to Warwick, two Lowe’s Home Improvement stores, relocate Herb Chambers Cadillac to Warwick and expand Balise Auto and develop their second facility on Jefferson Boulevard. The Balise expansion project alone represents an $8 million investment for the City.

In addition, Joe has worked effectively on the expansion of T.F. Green Airport and personally took charge when the expansion discussions between the Airport and the Warwick City Council came to a standstill. Joe personally worked to create a comprehensive community benefits plan that put the airport neighbors needs and desires first. This plan was instrumental in ultimately obtaining the unanimous vote of the Warwick City Council for the passage of T.F. Green Airport expansion after a decade of confrontation.

Moreover, Joe is also very attentive to the needs of Warwick’s senior citizens, a cause that he will make a priority as District 23’s State Representative. “Seniors are both the conscience and lifeblood of our community, and we all need to support them in a variety of fronts – most especially by creating initiatives to help provide them with safe, affordable housing.”

Shekarchi has served as the lawyer for the Warwick Housing Authority for the last 15 years and represented the Authority on all matters that came before the Kent County/Governor Phillip Noel Courthouse, campaigned for and served as City Solicitor for former Mayor Charles Donovan, and most recently was the campaign manager for Gina Raimondo’s statewide campaign for General Treasurer which was based out of Warwick.

“I know how to make things work,” stated a confident Shekarchi. “For me, this opportunity is about both “location” and “vocation”. My running for State Representative in Warwick isn’t about ego or status – it’s simply about getting things done for the people of Warwick in a timely and effective manner. I have a record and history that illustrates and underscores my capacity of getting things accomplished.”